Burglar alarm unit



Nov. 2, 1965 Filed Oct. 10, 1963 F. A. TYRONE .ETAL

BURGLAR ALARM UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 20 l1 l5 I5 L 2| Us20b f L ML L I .50

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INVENTORS A. TYRONE VICTOR E. AMBROSIO ANTHONY VENNERI FELIX ATTORNEY Nov. 2, 1965 F. A. TYRONE ETAL 3,214,857

' BURGLAR ALARM UNIT Filed Oct. 10, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1.51 6 INVENTORS FELIX A. TYRONE VICTOR E. AMBROSIO ANTHONY VENNERI BY ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patent 3,214,857 BURGLAR ALARM UNIT Felix A. Tyrone, 1374 S. Lafayette; Victor E. Ambrosio,

8651 N. Washington; and Anthony Venneri, 3538 Tejon St., all of Denver, Colo.

Filed Oct. 10, 1963, Ser. No. 317,866 (Filed under Rule 47(a) and 35 U.S.C. 116) 1 Claim. (Cl. 42-1) This invention relates to a novel and improved article of manufacture for use as an effective means of preventing unlawful entry into a building and the like, and more particularly relates to a sealed tear gas unit adapted for firing one or more tear gas cartridges and which can be easily reloaded without disassembly of the unit. This application is continuation-impart application of application Ser. No. 58,522 filed Sept. 26, 1960, now abandoned, and entitled Tear Gas Assembly.

It is customary to employ various types of burglar alarm systems, either in residences or commercial establishments, incorporating a tear gas mechanism which upon accidental contact with the wiring system of the alarm by a burglar or intruder will disburse tear gas over a selected area. In accordance with the present invention, it is highly desirable that a system of this type be tamper-proof, positive-acting, and conformable for use, regardless of weather conditions or loss of outside power, to protect an area or objects inside a building, warehouse, office, home, and notwithstanding the size of the area to be protected. In this connection, it is specifically proposed to provide for a unit which will accommodate one or more tear gas cartridges of different calibres according to the area to be covered and which can be easily reloaded without disassembly of the entire unit. Moreover, to devise a tear gas mechanism as described which is capable of being discharged for example through use in connection with any conventional protective system now in use such as photoelectric or radiostatic cells, vibration detectors, fioormats or touch plates.

Accordingly, it is a principal object to provide for a highly sensitive, positive-acting burglar alarm unit which can be energized to almost instantaneously release tear gas from one or more tear gas cartridges into a selected area, and in this relation to provide such a unit which can be effectively energized under minimum power requirements and accordingly is capable of use with almost any type of energizing relay or switch employed in burglar protection systems.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for a burglar deterrent device which is very compact and capable of firing one or more tear gas cartridges of different calibres either singly or in series by actuation of a single firing mechanism, and wherein the tear gas cartridges are made easily accessible for replacement and reloading without disassembly of the unit.

It is a further and more specific object of the present invention to provide for a single firing mechanism sealed within a tear gas unit which when selectively energized is capable of simultaneously firing a series of tear gas cartridges located exteriorly of the tear gas unit.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a burglar alarm unit which may effectively utilize one or more tear gas cartridges for simultaneous firing and in which the cartridges are defined by shot-gun type shells over a relatively wide range of gauge sizes each of which can be custom-loaded either with tear gas crystals, granulated rock sale or commonly known marking chemicals, singly or grouped so that each shell contains its own charge, and further wherein the cartridges may be employed either individually or in series so as to enable installation to cover any required building area through a single electrical system.

3,214,857 Patented Nov. 2, 1965 The above and other advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a somewhat schematic view of an electrical system employing a tear gas unit in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an alternate form of electrical system illustrating the use of a number of tear gas units, in accordance with the present invention, in series.

FIGURE 3 is a detailed view, partially in section, of one form of tear gas unit, in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a top view, partially in section, of the device shown in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a view partially in section of a preferred form of tear gas unit in accordance with the present in- :vention; and

FIGURE 6 is a top view, partially in section, of the preferred form shown in FIGURE 5.

Referring in more detail to the drawings, there is shown by way of illustrative example in FIGURE 1 a basic circuit 10 adapted to energize a pilot control designated at 11 for positive actuation of a tear gas shell or cartridge forming a part of the unit designated at 12. In the circuit, there is represented at 13 an electrical outlet for connection to an outside voltage source such as a volt line. Electrical lead 14 is shown connected into an electric light 16 and an alarm bell 18 is shown connected across the line 14 so as to be energized at the same time the electric light source 16 is energized. Continuing from the electric light source 16 and alarm bell 18 the lead 14 together with the lead 15 are connected to normally open relay 20, preferably of the lock-in type, and having a low voltage coil 21. As shown, the leads 14 and 15 are connected in contacts 20a and 20b and a relay arm 20c is disposed for interconnection across the leads to establish a separate closed circuit into the alarm and light source upon energization of the relay coil 21 by a battery controlled or DC. circuit in a manner to be described. From the coil of the relay 21, lead 14 is connected into the negative side of a battery source 22 and in turn the positive side is connected through lead 15a into switch 25, preferably on the on-oif key type switch, then'in series to another switch 27. The latter is representative of various forms of micro-switches or pressure-sensitive switches which when disturbed or when pressure is applied thereto will close to energize the coil side of the circuit, and from this switch the lead 15a returns for connection into lead line 15.

Just ahead of the connection of lead line 14 into the battery 22 a lead line 14a extends from the main line for connection into pilot control 11. In turn, lead line 15 similarly is connected into the pilot control so as to form a closed D.C. circuit therethrough from the battery source. In this connection, the pilot control is preferably a solenoid control which as illustrated in FIGURE 3 includes an outer coil 30 providing a central opening 31 for slidable extension of a core 32 and the the lines 14a and 15 are connected into the coil so as to energize the coil in response to closing of the circuit. Essentially, it will be seen that when the electrical outlet 13 is connected into line voltage and assuming that the key switch 25 is in closed position, upon closing of the switch 27, the battery or DC. circuit will be completed to energize the coil 21 so as to close the outside circuit into the light source 16 and alarm bell 18. At the same time, a separate closed circuit will be established through the solenoid coil 30 from the battery source 22. In this way,

even if the main source of voltage through the electric outlet 13 should be jumped or otherwise severed making it impossible to energize the light source 16 and alarm 18, nevertheless upon closing the switch 27 a circuit is established from the battery source 22 into the solenoid coil for energization thereof. In this arrangement, the separate circuit established between the battery source and solenoid will be isolated from that through the light source and alarm so that the battery voltage developed need only be that necessary to energize the solenoid and relay coil.

In actual use, the entire system may be easily installed in a business office or other commercial establishment such that for example the tear gas unit 12 will be strategically located to disburse tear gas into a selected area to be protected against intrusion by a burglar or intruder. The key switch 25 may be conveniently located to be easily accessible to the operator of the store and permit complete disconnection of the circuit during business hours, then by closing the switch will permit the solenoid to be energized when the switch 27 becomes closed. Here, the switch 27 may also be strategically located so as to be in the path of any one attempting to reach any valuables or making unlawful entry through a door, window or the like so as to trigger the entire circuit. In addition, a series of protective switches 27 may be connected in parallel into the basic form of circuit so that a number may be located at various strategic positions in the area to close the circuit for energization of the solenoid control unit.

In the modified form of FIGURE 2 a more complex form of circuit is illustrated for energization of a number of tear gas units at different strategic areas either within a single room or within a number of different rooms in a building. From the outlet 13' leads 14' and 15 are again connected to a lock-in type, double pole relay Connected to the opposite contacts of the relay are an electric light source 16' and an alarm bell 18'. From the coil side of the relay, a lead 14' is connected to key switch then into the positive side of battery 22'. Line 15' extends from the coil side for connection to the negative side of the battery, and an auxiliary line 29a is shown connected into one side of a solenoid coil or other energizing means for the pilot control 11 of a tear gas unit, designated I. Similarly, a line 29b is connected from lead 15' into the solenoid control for unit II, and line 29c is connected into unit III.

To establish a closed circuit through the coil for the unit I, a line 34 is connected just ahead of the key switch 25 into lead 14' and has a protective switch 27' therein which upon closure will establish a closed circuit through the coil. For the unit II, a line 35 is provided having a double lead connection by means of leads 35a and 3511 into the main line 14 each similarly including a protective switch 27. It will be noted also that a :line 36 is connected into unit III t similarly energize that unit by closing of any one of a series of switches 27 arranged in parallel in that line.

In the multiple unit circuit it will be seen that by closing the key switch 25, closing of any of the protective switches 27' arranged in parallel across line 14' will energize unit III and of course in actual practice these switches, arranged in parallel, may be disposed in remote locations in an area. To energize unit II, and once again assuming the key switch 25 is closed, either closing of the switch in line 35a or 35b will establish a closed circuit through unit II, and for unit I, closing of the switch 27' in the line 34 will close the circuit into that unit. Accordingly, in a greatly simplified manner and by location of the units at desired points in a particular building or area they are operative through a single battery source connection, for example, to be fired as separate units depending upon which protective switch is energized.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the construction and arrangement of the units, for example as represented in FIGURE 1 or the units I,

II, or III of FIGURE 2. As shown in detail in FIG- URES 3 and 4, one form of device 40 is shown which consists essentially of a lower, closed rectangular pilot housing 41 and an upper closed rectangular tear gas assembly housing 42 in connected relation. An extension housing 43 forms a continuation at one end of the housing 42 and is open at the opposite end for insertion of a pair of tear gas chambers 44. The pilot control housing 41 and the tear gas assembly housing 42 have a common partition 43' which may serve as the support for mounting of the coil 30 of the solenoid unit by means of suitable connecting screws 46. In addition, the core 32 may extend upwardly from the coil, through an opening 47 in the partition, and includes a stem 48 forming an upward projection thereof into the housing 42.

The housing 42 serves to enclose the entire tear gas unit which is made up broadly of a pair of firing assemblies 49 mounted in parallel to straddle the pilot control unit 11. Each assembly 49 is disposed in a barrel or tubular portion 50 which is positioned for horizontal extension across the upper end of the housing 42 by disposition in aligned openings formed in a vertical mounting plate 51, located in spaced relation to one end of the housing 42, and vertical wall 52 defining the other end of the housing 42. At one end each barrel 50 is internally threaded for connection of a suitable lock nut 53, and at the opposite end is shown projecting through the wall 52 with an externally threaded portion 54 for connection of adaptors 55 forming an extension of each tear gas chamber 44. Each adaptor 55 has a central bore 56 which is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the barrel and communicates with head 58 of a tear gas cartridge 59 located within the chamber 44. To fire each cartridge 59, a firing pin 62 is positioned at one end of a spring-biased plunger 64, the latter being in the form of a solid cylindrical member disposed for slidable movement in each barrel 50 and having a spring 66 mounted between the end of the plunger opposite the firing pin and the end of the lock nut 53. To regulate the bias of the spring 66 it will be evident that the lock nut 53 may be threadedly adjusted within the barrel so as to control the force of movement of the firing pin as it travels forwardly through the barrel and the bore 56 against the head 58 of the cartridge or shell 59.

To control firing of the unit, each plunger 64 has a trigger or catch 68 extending downwardly therefrom through a longitudinal slot 69 provided in each barrel 50. In order to hold the catch and connected plunger in cocked position, a leaf spring 70 is mounted on the partition 43' and includes a free end portion extending angularly upwardly as at 71 then curving horizontally and gradually downwardly as at 72 generally parallel to the disposition of the plunger 64. The leaf spring is provided with a pair of limited recesses 73 adapted to receive the end of the catch 68, and between the recesses 73 there is provided a central opening 74 for insertion of the stem 48. It will be noted that the end of the stem 48 is fastened to the spring 70 by a suitable screw 48' and thus causes movement of the leaf spring 70 downwardly as the core 32 moves downwardly through the solenoid coil 30. In this way, when the coil 30 is energized the core 32 will be urged downwardly together with the leaf spring so as to permit release of the catches 68 and permit forward travel of the plungers and connected firing pins 62 under the bias of their spring thereby to cause simultaneous firing of the tear gas cartridges.

As thus described, simultaneous firing of a pair of tear gas cartridges is accomplished by locating them in side-by-side relation within the common open-ended portion 43. Moreover, by this arrangement, the entire unit is constructed such that through connection of adaptors 55 to the end of each barrel 50, tear gas shells of the desired calibre range may be employed. For example, one tear gas shell may be representative of a 38-calibre shell and the other a 32-calibre shell, and each may mutually contain tear gas crystals, granulated rock salt, or some conventional marking chemical. Nevertheless, each is similarly arranged for projection from the end of the barrel and can be fired by pins similarly arranged in each of the barrels 50 and actuated by a common solenoid control through positive release of the leaf spring 70 from engagement with the catches 68 for each of the respective plungers 64. Upon firing, the unit is easily reloaded merely by removal of the chambers 44 and replacement of the spent shells without disturbing the rest of the assembly.

In FIGURES 5 and 6, a modified form of tear gas unit 80 is illustrated where a series of three chambers 44 are positioned in side-by-side relation within a common openended extending portion 43' of a tear gas assembly housing 42'. This construction and arrangement differs from that shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 in that a series of three firing pins 62 are disposed for extension through a corresponding series of bores 56' formed in a common vertical block 82. Thus, each chamber 44 is connected through adaptors 55', in this instance exteriorly threaded, into threaded counterbores 83 communicating with the bores 56'. Each of the firing pins 62 is connected into a common hammer portion 84 located within the housing 42' and the hammer 84 abuts against the end of a common barrel 50' mounted within the housing in a manner similar to that illustrated in the basic form. Again, a springbiased plunger 64 having a spring 66 and lock nut 53 is disposed for slidable movement in the barrel 50' which upon release in a manner to be described will move rapidly against the rear surface of the hammer to cause forward movement of the firing pins through the bores to detonate shells 59. As best seen from FIGURE 5, in place of the cocking and release mechanism illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, the barrel 50' is provided with a limited opening 86 and the plunger is provided with a counterbore 87 which may be aligned for reception of a stem 88 projecting from the top surface of core 32' of the pilot control unit 11'. Additionally, a spring 90 is mounted beneath the core 32' to normally urge the stem 88 through the limited opening 86 and into the counterbore 87 of the plunger so as to hold the tear gas assembly in position against release. Through this expedient, it will be seen that by energization of the solenoid coil 30 the core 32' will again be urged downwardly against the bias of the spring to cause release of the stem 88 both from the counterbore 87 and the opening 86 to permit the plunger to spring forwardly against the hammer 84 for firing of the shells. Again, this unit will enable simultaneous firing of a series of cartridges wherein each cartridge may be of any desired calibre, the calibre being selected in accordance with the area to be protected.

In accordance with the present invention, an extremely compact tear gas gun has been devised which may employ either a single cartridge or plurality of cartridges positioned exteriorly of the unit for simultaneous firing. Furthermore, the calibre range may be varied depending upon the area to be protected, as mentioned, and nevertheless be simultaneously fired through energization of a common release mechanism for the tear gas gun. In this connection, the release mechanism provided requires very little power for actuation, yet enables positive release of the firing pin. Utmost safety, particularly against accidental firing, is insured by totally enclosing the pilot control and firing assembly, leaving only the shell housing exposed at one end for insertion and replacement of the shells. In this way, easy replacement of spent shells may be accomplished merely by unthreading the adaptors and connected shells and replacing them with loaded shells of the desired calibre. Here it will be noted that this is done without necessity of tampering with or adjusting the firing assembly and pilot control.

Either the preferred or modified form of tear gas devices shown in FIGURES 3-6 may be interchanged at will in either the circuits shown in FIGURES l and 2 respectively. Thus, for example, in FIGURE 2, for the units I, II, and III single, double or triple charge devices may be employed again depending upon the area to be covered by tear gas. For example, to protect a vault, perhaps a single cartridge unit may be desirably employed, whereas a large room may require one or more triplecharged units. Nevertheless, the voltage level developed by the battery source is suflicient to positively release the plunger for firing either a single or triple charge.

Based on the foregoing, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the present forms of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, as defined by the appended claim and reasonable equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:

A tear gas unit comprising a housing defined by a pair of interconnected enclosure portions and an openended extension forming a continuation at one end of one of said enclosure portions, a series of barrel portions being positioned in spaced parallel relation in said one enclosure portion with the end of said barrel portions projecting exteriorly through the one end of said enclosure portion partially into said extension, a spring-biased plunger including a firing pin disposed for slidable movement in each barrel portion toward the projecting end thereof, each of said plungers including a catch extending laterally therefrom for projection through a longitudinal slot in each barrel, a tear gas chamber removably secured to the projecting end of each barrel portion exteriorly of said one enclosure portion with each chamber including a tear gas cartridge coaxially aligned with said firing pin, and pilot control means extending from the other enclosure portion into said one enclosure portion, said pilot control means including a resilient member having a series of openings therein to receive said catches in a position to hold said firing pins away from said tear gas cartridges against the bias of each plunger, and release means energizing said pilot control means to withdraw said resilient member away from engagement With said catches whereby to selectively release said plungers and attached firing pins for simultaneously firing said tear gas cartridges.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,902,127 3/33 Ingalls 4284 1,970,719 8/34 Von Frantzius 421 2,455,101 11/48 Stevens 421 2,541,770 2/51 Lawrence 4269 BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner. 

